Antibiotic resistance in environmental settings is a critical but under-researched issue, according to a new study led by the University of Surrey. This lack of comprehensive data, especially in low-income regions, could exacerbate global health risks.
Antibiotic resistance in the environment is emerging as a critical global health issue, yet it has received inconsistent attention, according to a new study led by the University of Surrey. The findings of this comprehensive review, published in the journal Environment International, sheds light on the significant gaps in our understanding of how antibiotic resistance spreads in natural settings, such as rivers, fields and air.
The researchers analyzed an extensive body of literature, examining 13,000 studies conducted between 1990 and 2021. Out of these, 738 studies were identified that specifically focused on non-built, non-industrial environments.
The investigation revealed that antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment are most frequently found in freshwater and soil, particularly in areas exposed to pollution from wastewater and manure. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas were the most studied bacteria, with resistance to sulphonamides, tetracyclines and beta-lactams being notably prevalent.
However, significant gaps remain. Few studies have ventured into exploring antibiotic resistance in the air, oceans or green spaces. Moreover, there is a startling lack of research from low-income regions, where the impact of antibiotic resistance is likely to be more severe.
“Despite a growing body of research, our study confirms that we know frighteningly little about how antibiotic resistance behaves in certain regions and environmental contexts. This is a silent emergency, and unless the scientific community works quickly to plug this knowledge gap, we risk letting antibiotic resistance spread unchecked in places we’re not appropriately monitoring,” co-corresponding author Brian Gardner, a research fellow in computational biology at the University of Surrey, said in a news release.
The researchers also noted that a disproportionate amount of the studies originated from China and the United States, with fewer than 1% led by researchers in low-income countries, such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mali and Uganda. This is particularly concerning given the higher health risks these regions face in relation to antibiotic resistance.
Additionally, the review flagged a noticeable void in research addressing climate change and microplastics, critical factors that could potentially accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Gianni Lo Iacono, a senior lecturer in biostatistics/epidemiology at the University of Surrey, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the study and the urgent need for diversified research.
“This research was only possible thanks to the formidable contributions of 55 colleagues, whose expertise and commitment were indispensable. Our findings highlight an urgent need for more research in low-income regions, which face higher risks of antibiotic resistance but are severely underrepresented in current studies,” he added. “To truly combat antibiotic resistance globally, we must broaden our research scope to include diverse environments and geographic regions, particularly those most vulnerable.”
Source: University of Surrey